"He was not working so much but he had already transcended the normal run of actors in the way people felt about him. British men have become more dominant over the past 15 years as they appear in more American movie and TV roles [during] the awards season."

Dame Judi Dench is the highest-placed woman in the list at six, followed by Dame Maggie Smith at seven.

Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch comes in at 11, while Colin Firth, Kiefer Sutherland and Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe also feature in the Top 20.